Nord-Pas de Calais

Self catering Holiday Homes to Rent in Nord-Pas de Calais 

Search the Rent in France holiday property directory for self catering Nord-Pas de Calais holiday rental houses, gites, cottages and apartments in France. The region consists of the departements of Nord and Pas-de-Calais, in the north and has a border with Belgium. It is an extremely densely populated region with some 4 million inhabitants. Nord Pas des Calais is an area of France that most holidaymakers only see when passing through as they travel through the ferry port or channel tunnel crossing at Calais. The region has many beautiful areas to be explored and it is particularly known for its secluded woodland, magnificent countryside, scenic valleys and it’s stretches of clean sandy beaches. There are also a number of great golf courses to be played and pretty villages to be visited when renting Pas-de-Calais self catering holiday homes. The region is very proud of its traditions, fetes fairs and festivals are almost a part of daily life in the area and there are a number of museums, monuments, and historic cities that date back to the roman times that allow you to discover the rich heritage the Nord Pas des Calais region has to offer. With over 90 miles of coastlines the region looks out on to the world’s busiest shipping lane, the English Channel and the Straits of Dover. Trade between England and the rest of Europe has meant the opening of three major ferry ports, Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne.

Places to visit during your holiday rental in Nord-Pas de Calais

Lille. Behind Paris, Lyon and Marseille, Lille is the fourth largest metropolitan area in France today.  Located on the Deûle River and near to Frances border with Belgium Lille is the capital of the Nord-Pas de Calais region and is the prefecture of the Nord department. The city itself has a strong industrial background but after many difficult years it is now known throughout France for its beautiful city centre and its very active and cultural way of life. Its wonderful city centre is excellently situated for a city trip and many of the sights can be combined in a walking tour during your stay. Some of the sights that are a must see are Vieux Lille, La Vielle Bourse, Palais Rihour, The Opera and The Chamber of Commerce.

Calais. Overlooking the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point in the English Channel Calais is the third largest city of Arras. The city is situated in northern France and is the closest French town to England, the whites cliffs of Dover can easily be seen on a clear day.  The city’s proximity to England has made Calais a major port and is now the leading ferry crossing point between England and France with the vast majority of the Channel crossings being made between Dover and Calais.  Situated in the vicinity of Calais is also the French end of the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, home to City Europe and only approximately 4 miles to the west of town.

Arras The Capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The centre of the town is marked by the Place des Heros and the Grande Place, two large squares that are surrounded by buildings which have been beautifully restored to their pre-war World War I conditions. The most notable of Arras’s structures include the museum and several government buildings that now occupy the old site of the demolished Abbaye de Saint-Vaast. Rebuilt in 1833 it now serves as the town cathedral. Visit Arras during the festive period and you can enjoy the well known Christmas Market, held every year from 27th November to 24th December. There are a large number of stalls with over 60 exhibitors offering a wide selection of arts and crafts, as well as local delicacies. Entertainment includes craft demonstrations and cooking lessons with chefs.

Dunkirk With around 700 hectares of dunes and 15km of Sandy beaches will ensure your self catering holiday rental in Dunkirk is a relaxing one. There any many activities to enjoy in the area that include sailing, a gentle round of golf or even a spot of surfing. There is a lot of heritage to be discovered in the area in the museums and the architectural masterpieces the town boasts. Situated just an easy hop across the Channel from Dover, makes the town a great choice for a short getaway.

Boulogne. Set on a magnificent stretch of coastline whose white cliffs compete with Dover’s, Boulogne is known to many as the city of arts and history or the city of the sea. Dating over 2000 years the city enjoys a varied but rich heritage and has much on offer for you to enjoy during your holiday rental in the region. The city is an ideal destination for families with its number of wonderful beaches and the excellent Nausicaa Sea Centre which is guaranteed too keep the younger guest occupied. Boulogne has a great selection of shops which makes it perfect for picking up gifts and souvenirs from your trip. Other sites that are a must during your stay include the beautifully preserved 13th century city walls in the old town, the bustling fisherman’s stalls offering you their catch of the day, the dramatic coastlines of the Opel coast and the wonderful forests and woodland that surround the area.

Stay in a Nord-Pas de Calais self catering holiday home and visit other interesting towns in the area including Cambrai, Douai, Levin, Marq-en-Baroeul, Maubeuge, Roubaix, Saint-Omer, Tourcoing, Valenciennes, Villeneuve d,Ascq and Wattrelos.

Climate in the Nord-Pas de Calais region

The region has more or less the same climate as the south east of England. Warm water is brought to coast by the North Atlantic drift which also protects the region from periods of excessive cold. The wettest areas of the region are Artois, Avesnois and Haut Boulonnais, while there are certain areas to the north that can be as dry as the Cote d’Azur. The region has an average temperature of around 9°C. The winter months see the temperature average at around 3°C where as the summer months often see the average temperatures reach an impressive 19°C. The region climate has become a source of inspiration to landscape painters for many years. 

Travelling to the Nord-Pas de Calais region 

Arriving to your self catering holiday rental in Nord Pas-de Calais couldn’t be easier as it is the closest French region to the UK. Sitting just across the Channel means the region can offer you a quick change of scenery without all of the hassle. The region’s capital Lille is only 80 minutes from London.

Overall the Nord-Pas de Calais is a region of France with contrasting landscapes from the rolling hills to the meadows, marshlands and scenic forests. There are miles of  Varied coastlines with plenty of wide open spaces of unspoilt countryside that make up regional national parks. Cruise along a network of waterways through the area and enjoy much, much more that this wonderful region of France has to offer.